On 11th August, Indigenous Rights Advocacy Centre (IRAC) approached National Human Rights Comission over torture of Rajeev, a 17-year old differently able boy (Tribal), by the Kerala Police and forcible arrest of tribal chief Choriyamooppan (65 years) and his son V S Murugan (44 years) at the Vattuluki hamlet under Sholayur police station in Attapadi taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala.
During the arrest, police allegedly beaten up 17-year-old differently able son of Murugan identified as Rajeev. The police slapped the minor on the face, manhandled him and tore his dress. Rajeev was injured in the beating and had to be admitted at Kottathara Tribal Specialty Hospital.
The incident took place on 8th August 2021. Choriyamooppan (65 years) is the tribal chief of the Vattuluki hamlet under Sholayur police station under Sholayur Panchayat in Palakkad district of Kerala. His son, Murugan is a human rights activist. Rajeev (17 years) is the son of Murugan.
At around 6 AM on 8 August 2021, a big team of Police arrived at the house of tribal chief Choriyamooppan to arrest him and his son Murugan on the basis of a complaint filed by their neighbour, Kurunthachalam who alleged that the tribal chief and his son had attacked him three days ago.
Murugan, who is a human rights activist, has been protesting against the land mafia in the area. He had approached the police twice on August 3 and 6 with a complaint of attack on his wife but the police did not take any action. But two days later, in a complaint filed by his neighbour, a big team of police arrived to arrest him (Murugan) and his father.